President Mary Knippel recently went before the NBC cameras to talk about WNBA-SF.
Details are in Member News.
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WNBA-SF News
Let's do lunch...
Would you like to meet for lunch and have an informal discussion about your work—your strategies, something
that's causing you problems, something that's working for you or just to make human contact away from the
computer screen? Members, show off your part of the Bay Area and send us suggestions for your favorite restaurant
for WNBA-SF to meet for lunch. Or maybe you know a great location for a picnic. On April 20, 11:30am we'll
have a WNBA-SF Let's Do Lunch meeting at the Olive Garden at Stonestown Galleria, 3251 20th Ave, in San
Francisco. Please e-mail Mary at president@wnba-sfchapter.org by April 18 so she can arrange for a table big enough for
everyone.
Sunset Social, Silent Auction
WNBA-SF Members and their guests are invited to enjoy a stunning San Francisco sunset, compelling conversation,
fabulous finger food, and sensational silent auction on May 20 from 5-7pm at the home of WNBA National
Vice President and WNBA-SF Secretary Joan Gelfand. Come and join your WNBA-SF friends for our first annual
fundraiser cocktail party at a private ocean view home in a beautiful San Francisco neighborhood with plenty of
easy street parking (handicap accessible). Let's raise a glass together to toast all our successes and
accomplishments in the world of words while we raise funds to facilitate the programs and events furthering our
members' professional development.
Silent Auction items up for bidding will range from a One-on-One conversation with an agent, excellent wines,
gift certificates, unique MEK♥Designs Jewelry, an Author Coaching Session, Surprise!
Packages and much more. Call 650-361-0344 to donate to the Silent Auction, or e-mail Mary at president@wnba-sfchapter.org with
suggestions or comments.
Join us for delicious savory edibles, wine, soft drinks, and sweet treats too! Send your check ($35 per
person) by May 12 to WNBA-SF Chapter, 2261 Market St #164, San Francisco CA 94114
Getting Together
WNBA-SF hosts "A Gathering of Readers and Writers" from 10am-4pm on Saturday, June 16 in the Oak
Room at the San Mateo Library. WNBA-SF members will come together as both readers and writers to share ideas and
experiences in the world of literature, to listen to what our speakers have to offer and to build a better,
stronger and more supportive San Francisco Chapter of the Women's National Book Association.
Presentations will focus on the evolving roles of authors and books in our fast-changing, high-tech
society—from nurturing the creative spark to navigating the publication process to getting the word out. This
first-ever WNBA-SF forum is a chance to exchange ideas and support one another.
Speakers will include: Pamela Swingley, marketing consultant; Brendan Murphy, Toastmasters
International; Ted Maher, Dragon Speaking; Linda Lee, books on the web; Luisa Adams, Brain
Gym; and a panel featuring writers Martha Alderson, Joan Gelfand, Teresa LeYung Ryan, and
Allegra Harris.
Bring your own lunch, dress casual, listen to the speakers and share your views! Admission is free, but
donations will be accepted. Each member can bring one guest.
This is a great chance for members of WNBA-SF to meet each other and share their skills and experiences. To
make a reservation or for more information, contact Shyne at membership@wnba-sfchapter.org.
Annual Lecture set for May 9
Be sure to mark your calendars for May 9, when Javaka Steptoe presents the annual Effie Lee Morris
Lecture at the San Francisco Public Library. Steptoe will speak on "Swan Lake, a retelling of the story by
Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe," a different approach to the traditional story by a young
African American illustrator. Established in 1996 by the San Francisco Chapter, this annual lecture was created
to salute WNBA-SF founding president Effie Lee Morris for her outstanding contributions to the San Francisco
Public Library and the children of San Francisco.
From Our Literacy Liaison
Dear WNBA-SF Chapter Members,
The board continues to find creative ways for our members to be recognized as literacy advocates. By the time
you read this report, WNBA-SF President Mary Knippel and I will have met with Randall Weaver, Project Read
Manager at San Francisco Public Library to discuss creating a partnership between Project Read and WNBA.
I encourage our talented members to grab a little spotlight in the community by helping organizations that are
linked to "national issues". Whether it be Project Read, BALit (Bay Area Literacy) or a program created by
schools, let me know about your involvement. For example, Joan Gelfand informed me about her work with the Jewish
Coalition for Literacy.
If enough members get involved with these awesome programs, I'll propose to the board that we create a
"Literacy Hall of Fame" for our members. I'd love to hear from you. My email address is LiteracyLiaison@wnba-sfchapter.org.
And to SF Chapter Founding President Effie Lee Morris, our "Living Legend"—thank you for setting the stage for
us with your literacy efforts!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
Calling For Volunteers
Put your skills to good use, develop new ones, make professional contacts and just generally have a good time by
volunteering with WNBA-SF. There are any number of ways to make an impact through WNBA-SF, from filling the
vacant position of Vice President to assisting with a single workshop or other event. For more details, to
suggest an activity or to volunteer, e-mail president@wnba-sfchapter.org.
Meeting April 5
Bring your ideas and your enthusiasm to the monthly WNBA-SF board meeting from 6-8pm on Thursday, April 5.
Always open to all members, WNBA-SF board meetings (except for the January session) are usually held on the first
Thursday of the month from 6-8pm at the Café at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. For more details or to
add an item to the agenda, please e-mail president@wnba-sfchapter.org.
Filling the BookWorm with Your News
The WNBA-SF chapter newsletter, the BookWorm, is published the first of every month. We'd love to announce
members' publications, articles, book-signings, workshops, awards or other milestones. The deadline for
submissions is the 20th of each month; please send items to newsletter@wnba-sfchapter.org. (If you
don't receive a "got it" response within a few days of sending your e-mail, please try again.)
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WNBA-National News
Getting in the Bookwoman
The deadline is April 9 to submit information for the next issue of the WNBA national newsletter, the
Bookwoman, which goes out to nine chapters with more than 900 members nationwide. Joan Gelfand
(bookwoman@wnba-sfchapter.org)
is our SF chapter correspondent. Please contact Joan if you'd like news sent to this national
newsletter--talks, publications, appearances, awards, reviews or feature-length article ideas. Plus, the
Winter 2007 issue of Bookwoman has been mailed to current members of WNBA-SF. Please e-mail Mary at president@wnba-sfchapter.org if you did
not receive your copy.
National Thanks
The Women's National Book Association's Eastman Grant was established to provide funds for librarians who are
interested in learning about the publishing process. One grant nationwide is awarded annually to enable a
librarian to take a course or participate in an institute devoted to aspects of publishing as a profession.
Eastman Grant Chair Sylvia Cross received the following thank-you letter from Linda Moskovics, the 2006 Eastman
Grant recipient:
Dear Members of the Women's National Book Association,
I am honored to have been selected as the recipient of the 2006 Ann Heidbreder Eastman Grant. This grant will
help me as I pursue an interest in publishing. I will keep you apprised of my progress as I tackle the
numerous assignments of the course. Please accept my sincere thanks and gratitude for this Grant.
Sincerely,
Linda Moskovics
Help Support the Rights of Women!
The United States stands nearly alone in its failure to ratify the Treaty for the Rights of Women, also known as
the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The United States can
provide a powerful voice for the women around the world who need our help ensuring equal protection before the
law. To find out how you can help urge our government to support this important measure, visit www.unausa.org/action.
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Announcements
Workshops by Editcetera
An association of freelance publishing professionals, Editcetera is presenting spring workshops on a range of
topics.
Registration: www.editcetera.com,
510-849-1110
•Developmental Editing
When: Mondays, April 16-30, 6:30-9:30pm
Where: Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley
Cost: $195 on or before April 9; $215 after
Instructors: John Bergez, Heather Dutton, and Melissa Stein
Details: Explore the goals of developmental editing and the process of working with an author to shape a
manuscript.
•The Versatile Copyeditor
When: Tuesdays, April 17-May 22, 6:30-9pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley
Cost: $320 on or before April 10; $340 after
Instructor: Amy Einsohn
Details: Join the author of The Copyeditor's Handbook (University of California Press, 2000; 2nd ed.,
2006) to learn the skills necessary for a copyediting career. This course includes a detailed critique from the
instructor.
•Building Your Editorial Career: Opportunities and Strategies
When: Thursday, April 19, 6:30-9:30pm
Where: Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley
Cost: $75 on or before April 12; $85 after
Instructor: Barbara Fuller.
Details: Learn where to find editorial work, how to market yourself to clients, and what to do to ensure
repeat assignments.
•Proofreading A to Z
When: Saturdays, April 21 and 28 and May 5, 9am-4pm
Where: Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley
Cost: $295 on or before April 13; $315 after
Instructor: Robyn Brode Orsini.
Details: Whether your project is a trade book or textbook, computer manual, newsletter, or advertising
brochure, learn the skills you need to proofread. This course includes a detailed critique from the
instructor.
•What's Cooking? Copyediting Cookbooks
When: Thursday, April 26, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley
Cost: $75 on or before April 19; $85 after
Instructor: Zipporah Collins
Details: If you enjoy cooking and already know how to copyedit, learn what special issues, decisions,
challenges, and pleasures you are likely to encounter in editing recipes.
7 Essential Elements of Scene for Novelists, Memoirists and Screenwriters
When: Saturday, April 21, 10am-3pm
Where: Los Gatos
Cost: $135 ($250 for both when combined with the April 28 workshop)
Registration: (limited to 8 participants) www.blockbusterplots.com/workshops.html
Instructor: WNBA-SF member Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots – Pure & Simple.
Details: Bring what you have: scenes, events, ideas. Come at plot from the scene level and see your story in
an entirely new light. Deepen and expand your piece. The day will include time to develop a Scene Tracker for
your individual project, lunch, and a private consultation. Martha Alderson. is an international plot consultant
for writers.
Develop a Multi-Layered Plot Line for your Novel, Screenplay, Memoir or Short Story
When: Saturday, April 28, 10am-3pm
Where: Los Gatos
Cost: $135 ($250 for both when combined with the April 21 workshop)
Registration: (limited to 8 participants) www.blockbusterplots.com/workshops.html
Instructor: WNBA-SF member Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots – Pure & Simple.
Details: Learn about action, character and thematic plot, and how to apply the universal structure of story to
your unique project. Practice using your scenes to create a plot-line for your latest project. The workshop
includes a Plot Planner for your individual project, lunch and a private consultation. Martha Alderson M.A. is an
international plot consultant for writers.
Gold Rush Writers Retreat
When: May 4-6
Where: Historic Hotel Leger, 8304 Main St, Mokelumne Hill CA
Cost: $125-$145
Registration: www.goldrushwriters.com
Details: WNBA-SF Member Kevin Arnold is part of the faculty for this workshop featuring best-selling
authors, award-winning writers, and university professors, among others. They'll lead small, interactive
workshops in short story, poetry, novel, memoir, young adult fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction and biography.
The three-day event also includes luncheon and dinner speakers. Participants should bring their latest writing to
share in the workshops. Everything starts with an evening picnic in the magnificent Victorian garden home of
best-selling author Antoinette May.
Write From Your Heart
When: Saturday, May 12, 9:30-11:30am
Where: Foster City Recreation Center
Cost: tba
Registration: call 650-286-3380
Details: Whether you're writing articles, short stories, or books, WNBA-SF Member Teresa LeYung Ryan
will help you identify the themes and give you resources so that can get your work published. For the first 90
minutes of this class you'll focus on your current project by examining themes and archetypes. The last 30
minutes Teresa will answer questions about the publishing arena. Please bring publications (including books) that
you enjoy reading and your current project. Teresa is a career coach for writers. Her mother-daughter novel,
Love Made of Heart, is now archived at the San Francisco History Center and recommended by the California
School Library Association and the California Reading Association. Teresa says, "I want to see everyone step into
their dreams." For more information about Teresa, go to www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com.
Best American Short Stories
When: 9am-noon, Saturdays, May 19 and 26, June 2 and 9
Where: TBA
Cost: $55 per class
Registration: ellensussman@gamil.com
Details: WNBA-SF member Ellen Sussman is leading four seminars using the 2006 edition of Best
American Short Stories, edited by Ann Patchett. As in the past, the group will read five stories for each
class and discuss the tales in terms of what can be learned from them as writers. Ellen will provide the bagels
and coffee for these Saturday-morning sessions. Participants can sign up for one, two, three or all of the
classes. These classes usually fill quickly.
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Mission Statement
The Woman's National Book Association is a national organization of women and men who work with and
value books. WNBA exists to promote reading and to support the role of women in the community of the book.
The Women's National Book Association was established in 1917, before women in America had the right to
vote.
The San Francisco branch of WNBA is one chapter in a vibrant organization with over 800 members across the
county. Each branch has its own flavor and lively events to honor books—the creation of books, the world of
books, and allied arts.
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In This Issue
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Welcome
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Welcome to the April 2007 edition of Bookworm, with news and events highlighting San Francisco WNBA members!
"You can't say, I won't write today, because that excuse will extend into several days, then several
months, then...you are not a writer anymore, just someone who dreams about being a writer."—Dorothy C.
Fontana
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From Our Chapter President
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Dear Friends,
Lights, camera, action...
Recently I was on a TV sound stage where the tables were turned on me. As a reporter, I'm
comfortable asking questions and guiding an interview. This time it was different; I never
expected to be in front of a camera answering questions, instead of asking them. It was exciting
to be representing WNBA-SF. Read the details below in the Member
News section.
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Mary E. Knippel
Sharie Cohen Photography |
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There was so much to talk about regarding the future of WNBA-SF. In response to the member
survey, we're planning a networking luncheon meeting, a sunset social complete with silent
auction and a reader/writer forum. Details on all these activities are outlined in the
WNBA-SF News section of this newsletter. Find out how you can help
promote books and reading through the efforts of Literacy Liaison Teresa LeYung Ryan.
Plus, we all owe a big thank-you to Joan Gelfand for getting BookShop West
Portal in San Francisco to be our sponsoring bookstore. BookShop West Portal has
generously dedicated a display area for WNBA-SF member books and will handle book sales for
authors on consignment. We had our first (of many) events there on March 29, and will give
you all the details in next month's BookWorm newsletter.
Now's a great time to get involved, to help shape WNBA-SF into an effective and dynamic
organization. I'm really looking forward to everything we have planned this year. Come and be a
part of it all! href=#news>WNBA-SF News section of this newsletter.
Be well,
Mary
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Introducing Our New Members!
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We're delighted to welcome the following new members to our dynamic organization. Please be sure to greet them at
future WNBA-SF events.
Micky Duxbury is the author of Making Room in Our Hearts: Keeping Family Ties Through Open
Adoption. A licensed therapist who has practiced in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 25 years, Micky
specializes in pre and post-adoption education and counseling, and is herself the adoptive parent of a daughter.
In addition to facilitating pre-adoption support groups, Micky presents workshops at the annual Adoption
Symposium of Northern California Resolve, has developed a course on the "Psychology of Adoption" and offers
"Raising Adopted Children" workshops and consultations. She occasionally indulges her creative spirit by writing
and performing solo theater pieces, the most recent being "When Women Die, They Call Out for Their Mothers" and
"Menopause Blues". Visit her online at www.mickyduxbury.com.
A resident of Seattle, Lisa Quast is CEO and president of Career Woman, Inc. A professional
speaker, trainer and executive coach, she's the author of Your Career, Your Way: Personal Strategies for
Achieving Your Career Aspirations. For two decades Lisa has completed projects worldwide in areas such as
strategic planning, marketing, sales, service, business development and operations. In addition to an associate
degree in marketing, a bachelor's degree in business and a graduate certificate in mergers and acquisitions from
Stanford Business School, Lisa is a graduate of three modeling academies and an advanced acting program, has
modeled professionally and competed in numerous pageants at the state and national level. She's a former
competitive gymnast, body builder, power lifter and baton twirler (earning sixth place at the 1980 United States
Championships). Her website is www.careerwomaninc.com.
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Member Profile: Bookworm talks to Ruth Silnes, author of Keeping Ahead of Winter: 4100
Nautical Miles Inside America
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At age 90 Ruth Silnes is a lifelong artist and the author of Keeping Ahead of Winter: 4100
Nautical Miles Inside America. In 1965 Ruth was a novice to boating and newly married to her second husband,
Torger, when they honeymooned by crewing their 38-foot powerboat from Joliet, Illinois to the alligator infested
waters of the Florida Everglades. It's a tale of humor, romance and near-death experiences. In publishing her
tale, Ruth was interested in saving time and fascinated with new ways of doing things so she chose Xlibris, a
books-on-demand publisher. Ruth is currently finishing the illustrations for Naptime Secrets, a book for
2- to 7-year-olds, and has ideas for two fiction stories. Ruth's formula for fulfillment: don't be afraid to make
mistakes or try new things, take chances with your ideas, keep up with the times and enjoy your good memories.
She lives in a retirement residence in San Mateo and says being relieved of running a household gives her more
time to indulge herself in the arts. She has two children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In
addition to WNBA-SF, Ruth is currently a member of the California Writer's Club, San Francisco Peninsula Writers,
National Association of Women Writers, ARTshare and International Toastmasters Clubs, and is a founding member of
the Peninsula Museum of Art. Visit Ruth at www.ruthsilnes.com.
- When did you start writing?
- I started writing the book thirty years ago as a travelogue. It sold and the publisher changed
their distributor. They only wanted how-to books and the day before it was to go to press they pulled it.
Life got in the way of me doing anything about it until I move to a senior residence where life is easy and I
rewrote Keeping Ahead of Winter as my story.
- Why did you choose your particular genre?
- It is a true story about a subject I knew well.
- What inspired you to choose your subject matter?
- In the home study writing school I took my teachers encouraged me to write about my adventure.
- How difficult / easy has your experience been as a published author?
- Because of my advanced age I self published Keeping Ahead of Winter. I hope I have learned from
all the mistakes I made for the book I'm writing now.
- What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
- Don't wait until you are finished writing to learn the business of writing.
- Anything else you would like to share with the WNBA?
- Join WNBA and organizations like it. Also join critique groups.
Are you a WNBA-SF member and published author? Would you like to share your story with WNBA-SF? Contact
newsletter editor Patricia Lynn
Henley about being featured in the Member Profile section of the BookWorm.
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Member News
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WNBA-SF President Mary E. Knippel, left, and Literacy Liaison Teresa
LeYung Ryan, center, take a break on the set with Janice Edwards, host of Bay Area
Vista.
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Clowning around in the Green Room at Channel 11 are, from left,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, Mary E. Knippel, a cardboard cutout of Ellen DeGeneres, Michealene
Cristini Risley and Marla Lowenthal.
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Spreading the word about WNBA-SF
By Mary E. Knippel
I received an e-mail on Tuesday, March 13 from Bay Area Vista, an NBC Channel 11 community affairs program,
inviting two WNBA-SF representatives to participate in their program focusing on Women's History Month. So on
Thursday, March 15 Teresa LeYung Ryan, our Literacy Liaison, and I were sitting in the San Jose TV studio, taping
a show that aired Sunday, March 18.
When I became your president; I knew I was stepping into a leadership role with meetings, panels, and
programs. I'm passionate about our wonderful community of the book and WNBA-SF's contributions through our
members' efforts and the programs we share with the entire Bay Area such as "Meet the Agents" and "Fall Preview
of Books". So I only had a few moments of panic before I regained my composure and called Janice to ask for
details about the program. I do remember wondering if the other guests in the "Green Room" (which is not green at
all, but that is where we all had our picture taken with Ellen DeGeneres' life size paper doll) could hear my
heart pounding that day as we chatted before being called to the set.
I was in awe of the very powerful and accomplished women we shared the stage with. Michealene Christni Risley
was there to talk about her book, This is not the life I ordered—50 ways to keep you head above water when
life keeps dragging you down. Full of great tips, I'll be looking for her to be part of our next Fall Preview
of Books. Marla Lowenthal, professor of mass communication and cultural studies at Menlo College, was there to
invite everyone to their 10th annual Rites of Spring festivities, which focuses on honoring the goddess in all of
us.
The set was simple: upholstered office furniture with wooden armrests, a glass coffee table and silk plant.
Segment host Janice Edwards made light conversation while microphones were positioned. I tried to breathe
normally as the stage manager gave instructions, "Do not look directly at the camera." Wow! I'm actually going to
be on TV.
Janice cupped her hand to her ear listening for her cue to start the interview...then, just as suddenly our
taping segment was over. It was an absolutely exhilarating experience. The next time such an opportunity comes
up, I'll be more prepared and do an even better job promoting WNBA-SF. I did manage to plug our March 29 Open Mic
event at BookShop West Portal.
Teresa emphasized that WNBA-SF is a community of professionals who come together to network, share ideas,
offer encouragement and foster love of the written word. I also explained that WNBA began in 1917, with eight
other chapters across the country, and stands for Women's National BOOK Association; the original WNBA. Next
year, WNBA-SF will be celebrating a special anniversary, our 40th. We're just in our prime! I'm looking forward
to lots of new experiences—how about you?
Getting together
WNBA-SF member Micky Duxbury, author of Making Room in our Hearts: Keeping Family Ties Through Open
Adoption, is starting a nonfiction women writers' support group in the East Bay. She'd like to meet with
other women authors who are actively working on writing projects. This idea is to meet once a month for support,
guidance and sharing resources. If you're interested, please email Micky at mickydux@earthlink.net or visit her
website at www.mickyduxbury.com. Also,
read about Micky in the Introducing Our New Members section of this newsletter.
On May 1 WNBA-SF member Rita Lakin releases the third book in her Gladdy Gold comedy series about
a group of little old ladies in Ft. Lauderdale who become private eyes. Getting Old is Criminal joins
Rita's first two books, Getting Old is Murder, already in its fourth printing, and Getting Old is the
Best Revenge, now in its second printing. After moving from New York to Los Angeles, Rita spent 20 years
writing for television, from working freelance to story editor to staff writing and finally producing. She worked
on such shows as "Dr. Kildare", "Peyton Place", "Mod Squad" and "Dynasty". Rita created her own shows—"The
Rookies", "Flamingo Road" and "Nightingales"—and wrote a number of movies of the week and mini-series, among them
"Death Takes a Holiday", "Women In Change", "Strong Medicine" and "Voice of the Heart". Now a resident of Marin
County, she has returned to her first love, writing novels.
WNBA-SF member Diane LeBow is one of the winners of the First Annual Solas Awards for Best Travel Story
of the Year by the editors of Travelers' Tales. Some 300 entries in 21 categories kept the judges up late
discussing the superb work entered in the competition. Diane won a Gold Certificate for her tale, The Trout
Baron, in the category of "Love Story: The best account of love or romance on the road." Her story is about a
10-year love affair Dianne had with a French baron in Brittany. It's been published by Seal Press in the
anthology France: A Love Story: Women Write about the French Experience. A photo-journalist as well as a
writer, Diane is president of the Bay Area Travel Writers. Visit her at www.dianelebow.com.
WNBA-SF Secretary/Past President Joan Gelfand's poem, "Anthology Sonnet", won first place in the
humor/light verse category at the 81st Annual Poets Dinner held March 17 in Oakland. Joan received a cash prize,
a copy of California Poetry Quarterly, and an invitation to read with winners in seven other categories at
the Ina Coolbrith Poets Circle on April 22 at the Orinda Community Center. Congratulations, Joan!
Celebrate Poetry
By Joan Gelfand
April is National Poetry Month. You can participate in many events around the Bay Area or read about National
Poetry Month and learn about all things poetry on www.poets.org.
WNBA-SF includes a great group of poets including Membership Chair Shyne and Deborah Grossman, a journalist
and poet. (Editor's note: add Joan Gelfand, author of this article, as one of WNBA-SF's published
poets.)
The Bay Area has a host of excellent poetry resources, including:
- Poetslane.com: hosted by Cynthia Bryant,
Poet Laureate of Livermore, poets lane keeps the poetry community connected with announcements and a great
web site
- Poetry Center San Jose: sponsors
readings, classes, workshops and a yearly "California Poets Festival." WNBA member Kevin Arnold is the
President of PCSJ.
- Marin Poetry
Center: Many local poets are involved with MPC. A great resource.
- Ina Coolbrith
Circle: An erudite group started in honor of Ina Coolbrith, first poet laureate of
California.
This is just a quick sampling of what's available. In addition there are numerous open microphone sessions
and readings around the Bay, including "All Poets Welcome" the first Monday of the month on Nob Hill; the Solana
Deli, second Sunday of the month in Crockett; and many others which can be found through poetslane.com and other
web sites such as upcoming.org. Also, the Radar Reading series at the San Francisco Public Library has a great
reputation—check out upcoming.org/event/82337.
Finding Fame
By Jan Newman
Every year I get a mammogram. After the procedure is done, the technician always excuses herself to review the
film. Sometimes the process needs to be redone because the picture is blurry or something mysterious appears.
Usually it takes five minutes to review the mammogram.
It's this time period, this waiting, that is so difficult for me. I know my life could change quickly
depending on the outcome of my mammogram.
On this day the experience seemed routine. The technician left and I mentally geared myself to a quiet,
reflective five minutes. Then I could dress and be on my way.
Almost immediately after the technician left the door opened and another nurse peered inside to see me sitting
in my cheesy paper drape.
I was sure something was wrong. My heart started to race. My hands were clammy. Was this nurse about to give
me dreaded news?
"Are you Jan Newman?" she asked.
I wanted to shrink away, to melt into my chair. I could hardly talk.
"Yes," I managed to whisper in response to her question.
Thinking gloom and doom, I expected to hear that I had a dreaded lump and would need surgery.
"I just had to tell you that my girlfriends and I just love your book Chance Meetings That Tied the
Knot. It is the best thing we've read in ages," the nurse told me happily. "You have inspired us and given us
new faith in men and I am just so honored to meet you. Would you give me your autograph?"
All ends well. My mammogram is fine and my pulse returns to normal—but I will forever be the author under the
cheesy paper drape.
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